California lawmakers travel to Hawaii conference amid COVID-19 travel warnings

[alp227]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Los Angeles Times

SACRAMENTO — Legislators from California and other states are gathering for an annual conference in Maui this week despite a spike in COVID-19 cases in the Golden State that resulted in travel warnings by health officials.

More than half a dozen California lawmakers are among the 50 people attending a policy conference sponsored by the Independent Voter Project, a nonprofit group, at the Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel in Wailea, with some legislators’ travel expenses picked up by the hosts. The four-day conference, at which panels discuss various issues including how to reopen states safely amid COVID-19, began Monday.

The annual gathering, which has seen up to 25 California lawmakers in attendance in past years, has faced criticism because it is partly financed and attended by special interests including businesses and labor groups, which lobby legislators.

This year, lawmakers are drawing criticism for their decision to attend the event during the COVID-19 pandemic and as coronavirus cases surge nationwide.

Read more: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-11-16/california-lawmakers-hawaii-conference-covid-19

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The San Francisco Chronicle goes in more specifics about the sponsors:

The Independent Voter Project, which was founded in 2006, is a nonprofit that says it aims to empower nonpartisan voters and promote a less polarized approach to governing. It was behind the 2010 ballot initiative that instituted California’s top-two primary system.

But the group — which is funded by corporate donors including AT&T, Eli Lilly and Co., Pepsico, Walmart and the Western States Petroleum Association — is best-known in Sacramento for spending tens of thousands of dollars each year to bring dozens of lawmakers to Maui.

More info about this convention from the Independent Voter Project official website: https://independentvoterproject.org/our-work/engage-leaders

[onecaliberal]

1. You have to test negative and prove that you are negative by uploading results before you get on the

Plane or you will be quarantined on arrival.

[RainCaster]

2. Test 72hrs before flight from approved vendors only

My wife is over there now, and a group on a different plane (same airline) had their tests come back after they were in the air. They are all positive. All were sent home on the next available flight.

[forthemiddle]

8. Are they then segregated from the rest of the Hawaiian population

Otherwise it could all be done via zoom. There was recently a cruise ship that embarked after every passenger had to prove a negative test before boarding, yet within two days there was an outbreak onboard.

What is the purpose of being in Hawaii, when the rest of the California residents are under travel restrictions? It’s obviously in Hawaii as a tropical getaway. Why couldn’t they do this via Zoom, like the rest of the world is forced to do?

Once again proving Do as I say, Not as I Do.

[flibbitygiblets]

3. "...panels discuss various issues including how to reopen states safely amid COVID-19..."

SMDH

[pfitz59]

4. The "sponsor" list says it all

"We rub your back, in Maui. You rub ours. back." More legalized bribery

[PSPS]

5. Anything that claims to "empower nonpartisan voters" is really a disguised republican operation.

Like the "No Labels" charade.

[SunSeeker]

6. Anything that is paid for by Western States Petroleum Association is for SURE a GOP operation.

Western States Petroleum has a long, odious history in CA.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

7. Lawmakers should lead by example and this is not a good example for our citizens.

With so many people working from home on-line and kids being schooled at home on-line, why couldn't they hold a virtual conference?

Besides, most American citizens would LOVE to have a few days in Hawaii, so not good optics for these guys...

[Omaha Steve]

9. After a review by forum hosts....LOCKING

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